A Sinister Dodge Dart?

When you think of “sinister”-looking vehicles, does a Dodge Dart cross your mind? No? Not surprising; but the 2014 Dart SXT Blacktop is being described using that very word by its maker. It will be shown at the Detroit Auto Show next week and will be available at dealerships in the spring.

The new model has a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine and produces 184hp. Standard is a six-speed manual transmission with an optional six-speed automatic. It gets 22 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Bluetooth is also standard. So far it’s a pretty typical Dart. So, what makes it “sinister?”

Inside you’ll find black and red cloth seats with red stitching accents throughout the seats, dash, and door panels. Black and light Tungsten cloth seats are optional, if you prefer.

The price is not so sinister, starting at $20,280. Except for all the black, the Blacktop is basically the same as the 2014 Dodge Dart with the Rallye Appearance Group. The black package adds $295 to the price of this basic Dart.

I’m not convinced it earned its name. It’s cute and economical, but “sinister?” A black VW Beetle is no more sinister than its more colorful counterparts. When a two-and-a-half-foot tall vampire comes to your door on Halloween, he’s not sinister. The 2014 Dodge Dart Blacktop is worth the asking price and it does look cool in black, but it’s not sinister.